1. Services
  2. Academy Nominations

I have the distinct honor of nominating some of Iowa’s brightest and most talented students to attend one of our nation’s prestigious Service Academies each year. These academies offer full four-year scholarships for a world-class education and an opportunity to serve our nation. Students who attend these service academies commit to at least five years of active duty military service upon graduation.

ELIGIBILTY

Students applying for a service academy must meet the following minimum criteria:

  • A U.S. citizen
  • A legal resident of Iowa OR a dependent of military service members who are Iowa residents
  • Unmarried with no children or dependents
  • Minimum age of 17, but not older than 23 (25 for the Merchant Marine Academy) by July 1 of the year of admission 

HOW TO APPLY

*Application deadlines for academy classes beginning in 2025 is October 24, 2025.*

Admission to the service academies is highly competitive. Each elected representative in the U.S. Congress may have no more than five nominees enrolled in a service academy at any given time. Appointments to the Merchant Marine Academy are allocated in proportion to the state’s representation in Congress. Iowa is currently allocated four vacancies at the Merchant Marine Academy. Members of Congress are allocated at least one vacancy each year. For each vacancy, I can submit up to ten nominations for the academy’s consideration. Here’s how to apply:

  1. Applicants should first apply directly to the academies of interest and request that pre-candidate files be opened on their behalf.
  2. Download and complete my office’s academy nomination application. You’ll also need to provide the following materials:
    • Completed High School Evaluation form by a School Guidance Counselor or alternate administrative school official
    • High school transcript
    • A letter of recommendation from a teacher
    • Two additional letters of recommendation from Iowans
    • An essay (Between one and two pages, single spaced)
    • ACT/SAT score (This must submitted directly by ACT/SAT. The identification number for the ACT is 7129 and the identification code for the SAT is 6260.)
  3. Applicants should also seek recommendations from Senator Joni Ernst, their representative in the U.S. House of Representatives or the Vice President.
  4. Mail the completed application and supporting materials to:

U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley
Attn: Nominations Coordinator
721 Federal Building
210 Walnut Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50309

Completed applications from Iowans must be submitted no later than October 24, 2025. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered. Nominations will be made by Dec. 31, 2025.

For more information, please call Senator Grassley's Des Moines office at
(515) 288-1145 or academy_nominations@grassley.senate.gov

download application

LEARN MORE

Senator Grassley nominates Iowa students for appointments to the following U.S. service academies:

the u.s. military academy
THE U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY
THE u.s. naval academy
THE U.S. MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY

Please Note: Admission to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy does not require a congressional nomination.

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION